The Infernal Serpent

Belial and I are accustomed to our senses, though he has more opportunity to leave because of Nychta. Death has long since learned to ignore chatter and the normal sounds of a bustling household.

He nods in agreement. I've worried that it would put my father and sister at odds with each other or cause family problems, even if they were accidentally produced.

It felt good to say those words outloud to someone who was in a similar headspace. It takes time for Thnisko who is biting back his own rage. Death feeling this much agitation isn't safe and he knows he must calm. A few breaths and then he speaks.

Yes. I don't know if magic was involved. He admits and then sighs again while leaning into Balthazar. My father was moving toward trusting him and I'm not sure he was willing to wait for him to consent to submission. I think they fought for dominance and control of his person. He won't speak to me about it and I don't dare force it because he's still hurt.

Hurt was probably the best word for the broken trust that rippled out to his questioning of everyone. He can't speak to others. It's weakness and he's a king about to let the opposition into our ranks. I think Dorian blamed him for being assaulted and I think that has added salt to the wound.